Nope, world didn't end I can still post.
Gotta say it must kind of suck that you could be so easily replaced though bro. Just wondering the probie got more seniority than you now? Oh by the way glad your back.

Miller, thank you too for the sentiments. I was offered the opportunity to trade for my old number, and I did consider the thought for about a week, and then came to the conclusion that it was in good hands. He's a young lad, but he works hard, and I can't fault with that.

As for seniority, that wont really be a problem either. Even though the Dept has a lot of new equipment and new trucks, the principles are still the same, which means I will be fast tracking through my own probational period, to learn the new stuff. I have been granted credit for my previous service to Malahat Fire Rescue, and credit for my "time served" at Vienna VFD, and the training I did there. I know that the lessons learned from Vienna and Fairfax Co in general will hold me very well, and will be applied to Malahat. True, I now have some "Big City Habits" but the "Small Town Concepts" were there first, so there is some great foundation structure in those habits. I have lots to share, but then so do the members of Malahat to share with me. An incredible number of changes have happened during my prolonged absence, and I know they will happily show them all to me.

Hey I think that is cool about your number. I should have been reassigned a different number with the last "promotion" but luckily it hasn't been noticed yet. I'm sure you'll become a valuable asset there again quickly. How well everyone is able to deal with nonlinear thinking may take a little longer.

WHAT? WAIT! Who told you that? Well actually they are not really stop signs, more like guidelines......

Thanks Miller, I hope I can help make it work too, but being a bit of an army-geek hard nose, especially when it comes to safety... well we'll see how it goes. I know I have the Chief's backing me up at least - and he most certainly has my support.